Key Points
- There is growing international evidence to support olfactory and taste
disorders (OTDs) as symptoms of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
but little data is available on the prevalence of this symptom in
confirmed UK cases.
- Our survey of patients and staff with confirmed COVID-19 in the North
East of England showed a high prevalence of OTDs at 55.8%.
- Outpatients and staff were more likely to report a change in their
smell or taste when compared to inpatients.
- New onset OTDs should be considered in patient triage and staff
isolation recommendations, especially as elective clinical work
resumes.
- Further studies are needed in which those with new onset OTDs are
tested for COVID-19 to determine the sensitivity and specificity of
self-reported OTDs as a screening tool.